Vengeance of Rannah: A dusty, low-budget scramble

Is this for you?

If you like your movies smelling like old film reels and cheap coffee, you’ll probably find something to enjoy here. It’s a lean, mean, dusty little western that moves faster than it probably should. If you need fancy camerawork or characters who actually make sense, stay far, far away. This is for the folks who just want to watch people ride horses in circles until someone gets punched.

Ted Sanders is an insurance agent. You can tell he’s the hero because he’s the only one who looks consistently confused by what’s happening. Then there’s the fake deputy, who clearly didn’t get the memo on how to act like a lawman. It’s the kind of setup that makes you wonder if anyone in this town has ever actually met a real police officer.

The plot holes are large enough to drive a wagon through.

The framing device—tossing stolen money into Ted’s room—is about as subtle as a sledgehammer. Nobody questions it. They just go straight to the "let's kill him" phase of the afternoon. It reminds me a bit of the frantic, messy energy in Square Shooter, where logic takes a backseat to whoever happens to be holding the gun.

There is a lot of standing around and talking. Then, suddenly, someone screams and a chair gets broken. The pacing is a total disaster, but it’s a fun disaster. You can practically see the actors checking their watches during the long takes.

• The fake deputy has a mustache that deserves its own billing.
• The desert looks awfully small, like a backyard with a few cacti thrown in.
• Rin Tin Tin Jr. shows up, and honestly, he’s doing a better job than half the cast.

I found myself laughing when the bad guys try to look menacing. They just look like they’re having a bad day at the office. It’s not quite as polished as The Mystery of Mr. X, but it’s got way more heart. Or maybe just more dust. It’s hard to tell.

Do you need to watch this? Probably not. Is it a good way to kill an hour if you’re bored and looking for something old and weird? Sure. Just don’t expect a masterpiece. It’s a movie that knows it’s a movie, and it doesn't give a damn what you think. 🤠